Although Canada is officially a bi-lingual country, seldom outside of Quebec is a play performed in both languages.

But occasionally, because of the presence of a vibrant Francophone community with its own professional theatre, Toronto does have that opportunity and this June, Michel Tremblay's adaptation of Gogol's The Government Inspector will be performed in English, with the same company that is performing it in French at Theatre Francais de Toronto, from May 21 to 30.

According to a Playbill conversation with leading actor Dennis O'Connor: "Shifting this (Pleiades Theatre) production from French to English is a somewhat difficult transition, as most of the company is Francophone and not used to performing in English. The rhythms are entirely different and that changes the production considerably."

The Government Guy, as it is known in English, will be directed and translated by John Van Burek, who has been translating and directing Tremblay's work for more than 25 years.

The Government Guy runs from June 12 to July 5 at Tarragon Theatre. For information and tickets call: 416-538-1827. By Mira Friedlander
Canada Correspondent